Attend Docs for Sale

Films included in the Docs for Sale catalogue (IDFA-selected films and titles selected directly for the catalogue). They use the market to position their film, connect with buyers and programmers, and build momentum for distribution.

Festival programmers, distributors, sales agents, and exhibitors. They access the curated catalogue and attend the market to discover new titles and meet rights holders.

First-time buyers interested in attending can contact the Docs for Sale team at docsforsale@idfa.nl.

Join the IDFA’s Market Opening Drinks in Het Documentaire Paviljoen to welcome a new edition of IDFA Forum and Docs for Sale.

Daily Happy Hours offer space to meet other professionals and continue conversations outside formal meetings.

Happy Hours are open to all guests of IDFA Forum and Docs for Sale.

IDFA's Industry Program offers talks, sessions, and meetings that provide insight into current developments in documentary and distribution.

Daily social moments, including Guests Meet Guests drinks, create additional opportunities for informal exchange across the festival.

Passholders have access to the Docs for Sale lounge, a dedicated meeting space for Docs for Sale accredited guests.

All passholders have access to the IDFA Guest List, where attending professionals can be filtered by role or accreditation type.

Docs for Sale Participant and Acquisition pass holders can get discounted tickets for film screenings.

Details about access (see the accreditation page).

In October, the Docs for Sale team hosts an online introduction session for all first-time participants in the market with a film in the catalogue.

To join, email: docsforsale@idfa.nl

Be sure to check out our guide for first-timers at Docs for Sale as well, which includes helpful tips to do before, during, and after the festival, and some seasoned advice from Docs for Sale regulars.

During the market, matchmakers are available in the Docs for Sale Lounge to help new participants navigate the program and connect with relevant professionals.

In collaboration with the Industry Talks department, Participant passholders can take part in curated consultations and group sessions focused on networking, business development, and industry insight. The program opens in October.

Acquisition passholders have access to a limited number of videotheque-style viewing booths to screen titles from the annual Docs for Sale catalogue of approximately 300 films.

Booths can be booked on site up to three consecutive hours.

Every year, the catalogue presents a curated selection of documentary films, series, and shorts seeking distribution and exhibition.

It includes IDFA-selected films, sales agent slates, and market-ready titles selected by the Docs for Sale team.

The 2026-2027 catalogue will be published on November 1 and accessible via MyIDFA for Acquisition passholders.

A selection of approximately six teams showcase their work during the Rought Cut Presentations, featuring 20-minute excerpts followed by moderated introductions.

Full rough cuts are made available online for a limited period after the market.

The program is a collaboration between Docs for Sale and IDFA Forum.

Selected projects will be announced on October 2.

To request meetings with a project: docsforsale@idfa.nl

Open to Forum passholders and Docs for Sale Acquisition passholders by invitation.